ZARA: So much for "us" time.
Our precious day off, and we've got to spend it at some tedious shindig.
Oh, yeah, look at the place. Absolutely tedious.
Am I supposed to be impressed? No. You're supposed to have fun.
Mitch is a lovely guy, it was nice of him to invite us.
It's a bit showy-offy, though, isn't it?
Hiring a whole stately home,
lest we forget how obscenely rich he is.
Well, lest we forget that he came from the Churchill - from nothing.
I think he's earned his bragging rights.
Come on, we're going to have fun.
It's all right for you. You're going to be talking to your golf cronies,
whilst I'm going to be stuck
making polite conversation with all the bored wives.
OK, I'll make a promise to you now.
I will stick to you like glue,
we will make polite conversation together.
Come on. It's a... It's a chance for us to relax and forget about work.
Right? Now, Mitch promised canapes and champagne.
What's not to like?
BELL RINGS
All right!
Thank you, thank you all very much for coming.
You all look great.
Brilliant, OK.
The humble strawberry.
It's been pretty good to me.
35 years ago, I was scraping a living
flogging these on my dad's market stall,
yo-yo-ing between here and Huelva,
buying and importing the finest Spanish berries
in a clapped-out truck
till, eventually, I branched out
and I bought an abandoned fruit farm -
it was just down the road from here. PHONE RINGS
Cut to the early noughties, and Buckley Berries
has a first-class reputation - at home and abroad.
It's the go-to brand for English royals and Arab princes.
It's not bad, eh, for a scruffy dimwit from the Churchill estate?
But... all good things must come to an end.
This time tomorrow, we will be jetting off to the Swiss Alps
to start a new chapter in our lives.
I've sold the business and my homes over here,
so all that remains is to say a fond farewell to you lot.
But first is a fun little quiz that'll stretch your legs
and test your general knowledge... about me!
What an ego trip!
Best if you work in pairs. And there's everything to play for -
20 grand for the winning couple!
ALL: Ooh!
So I'll explain more after you've had a few drinks.
APPLAUSE
Who's the mutton?
Sorry? Dressed up as lamb. The woman who arrived late.
Oh. That's Gayle.
You invited your ex-wife?
She must have got wind of it somehow.
Well, if you didn't invite her, then why don't you tell her to leave?
Does it matter? Yes! This is meant to be a happy occasion.
She'll ruin it for you.
Would you like me to speak to her?
No.
Daniel! Daniel! Mitch!
Chuffed you could make it.
Great to see you, Mitch. You remember Zara?
Of course. Just as gorgeous as the first time we met!
Thank you.
You haven't met Trudy.
My other half.
Not quite yet.
Almost. We're getting hitched next week.
Oh! How lovely! Congratulations!
Is that for Mitch?
Yes, it is, yes. I'll put it with the others. OK.
Cheers for that. But I said no presents.
I'm a little sad to see you go.
Just as I'm about to topple you
from the top of the leader board at the club, you're emigrating!
There was never any fear of that!
Why the big move? Is it a business opportunity or early retirement?
It's a bit of both, really.
Let's just say it was an opportunity I couldn't refuse.
Jonty! Ohh!
Almost as late as we are on the greens!
Does everybody here play golf?
Aside from you? Er, yeah.
SHE SIGHS, PHONE RINGS
Oh. Look... Oh.
I know it's your day off, but have you got a minute?
For you, several.
What's the problem?
I've got Kelly Turner here - Erin's mum.
She was meant to be seeing a consultant at St Phil's,
but the bus didn't show and they were late,
and the receptionist has turned them away.
It took me ages to get that referral.
Yeah. And now they're at the back of the queue.
They've got to wait for a letter, you know -
it could be, like, three months before they get seen.
Dr Fencott is excellent, but he's rather stretched.
There just aren't enough CF specialists.
She was wondering whether he might fit her in
at the end of the day, like, if YOU asked him - nicely?
I don't think I'm going to be able to get hold of him now.
He'll be busy running his clinic. That's what I said, but...
..she's in pieces.
BABY CRYING
I feel really sorry for them.
Leave it with me. I'll see what I can do.
Ah, OK. So you're...?
Gayle. The dreaded ex-wife!
Why dreaded? I don't know. The divorce got a bit messy.
Oh. OK. But now you're friends?
Eh...
N... Not exactly, no.
We've not spoken in four years.
But he needs someone to talk some sense into him and...
..well, he listens to me.
Ah - he DID.
Oh, he loves this sort of thing, Mitch.
Country houses, posh friends.
And now he's bagged the ultimate prize -
the daughter of a dead aristocrat!
Hm! It's just a shame he won't be around that long to enjoy it.
What do you mean? Mitch is ill again.
Really? Mm. This time, he's refusing treatment.
But... He didn't say anything to me.
Well, Swiss Alps? Hm!
Swiss CLINIC, more like.
Once they've tied the knot, she'll send him to his death,
like a lovely, doting wife.
I'm sure that's not the case. Well...
Now... I have sent you all a link to my tailor-made quiz app.
Right? So this is going to direct you to various rooms
in this magnificent property,
where you can boost the grey matter with champagne and nibbles!
Er, so take your time, follow any route you fancy.
You've got a complete two hours to finish the quiz.
OK? I'll say no more! May the best man or woman win!
Your missus won't mind, will she?
Sorry? If we pair up? Oh, er... Hmm!
Smart move. I know Mitch pretty well, you know.
I thought that he was OK.
Mm. Me, too. Till a little bird told me otherwise.
Really? OK, who's the little bird?
I'll tell you later. Come on.
If you wouldn't mind?
She's on tenterhooks and I promised to get back to her soon.
Thanks. Thank you very much.
Have you spoken to her yet?
She's just gone off with Daniel. Perhaps we should speak to security,
have her frog-marched off the property.
Oh, just leave it, will you? She's not doing any harm.
Are we having an argument?
No. Of course not.
We never argue.
Er... I didn't think you'd be the odd one out.
No. Me neither.
Well, maybe you could team up with Trudy.
But I'd have an unfair advantage. The questions are all about you.
Well, Zara's only met me once. That'll level the odds.
Really, quizzes aren't really my thing, so I'm happy to sit it out.
Oh, no. We won't have any of that.
It'll give you a chance to get to know each other.
You'll have loads to talk about!
Who's Paul? Oh, er, Mitch's accountant. Is he here? No.
He's in, er... He's in Zurich, counting Mitch's millions.
He called me from there last week.
To tell you that Mitch is dying? Yeah, and this.
I think he thought I might want to say goodbye.
Why didn't Mitch call you himself?
SHE SCOFFS I don't know. I think he's scared.
Scared of you? No! Scared of Bridezilla!
You know every time I call the home phone, it's her that answers.
He should be fighting this illness, but he won't, you know?
Not with her. She's like the kiss of death.
I think he was hoping someone would save him.
Maybe I'm his best bet.
Yes, please.
Not for me, thank you.
Oh, that's really rather good.
Nothing but the best for Mitch.
Don't you like champagne?
Yes...and no.
Alcohol doesn't agree with me.
"What name did Mitch give to his Shropshire home?"
Well, that must be an easy one for you.
Churchill House.
Oh, a reference to his upbringing?
Because he grew up on the Churchill Estate.
Of course...
..it's where he met HER.
Gayle?
PHONE RINGS
Excuse me, I do really need to take this.
Hi, Scarlett.
Yes, yes, I spoke to Dr Fencott's secretary.
And, unfortunately, he's no longer at St Phil's,
but can they get to Ashdale?
Because he's doing another clinic there.
Hi, it's me.
I keep trying your phone and it's constantly engaged.
Will you call me when you get this? OK.
I'm sure, but...
Well, there's not much else we can do.
OK, bye.
Trouble at work?
One of my patients.
She has a baby with cystic fibrosis.
They were late attending their appointment
with the specialist at St Phil's,
so they got turned away. And I've arranged for them
to have an appointment at another clinic, but they can't get to it.
Why not?
Because the mum doesn't drive,
the other clinic is three buses away and she can't afford a cab.
So, what happens now?
They go back into the system.
They have to wait for another appointment at St Phil's.
That's awful! Must be really tough for both of them.
I feel like booking a cab for them and paying for it myself,
but we're not supposed to do that kind of thing.
What's their address?
They're still at the surgery where I work. Why do you ask?
If you pay for a patient's taxi, it might be deemed unprofessional,
but there's no reason why I can't do it.
That's so kind, but you really mustn't.
You don't even know these people. I know they're suffering.
Yes, I'd like to book a taxi, please.
We separated five years ago,
and then a few weeks later, he was diagnosed.
So we put the divorce on hold.
And I moved back in with him.
You know, his health was the main priority. So you were his carer?
Yeah...
Tough times...
As soon as he got the all-clear,
his lawyers served me with the papers.
He couldn't wait to be shot of me.
I'm sure that he appreciates what you did.
After the divorce was settled,
he wrote me this long letter saying how he'd always been true to me
and he only hooked up with Trudy after we'd separated.
Well, there you go.
He was lying.
All that time I stuck by him,
and he was seeing her all the time behind my back.
That's what hurts the most.
Ohhh!
Let's plump for 2017, shall we?
Did you know Mitch then?
No.
It was a little after that.
How did you meet?
Oh, it's a long and boring story. You don't want to know.
I'm always absolutely fascinated to hear how couples met,
even if the answer these days is just usually online.
Yes, right.
I suppose it is.
I don't know. Churchill House?
He moved there after the divorce.
I don't know why he called it that.
Well, probably happy memories of his youth?
No!
He hated it!
You know, I sometimes think that's why he couldn't stand me in the end,
because I just reminded him too much of the Churchill.
Every time he looked at me, he was back on that grim estate.
I didn't have to look at you.
It never left me. Oh...
Nice to see you, Gayle.
You, too.
Gayle told me that the cancer's come back.
I bet she did.
Is it true?
Well, it never really left me,
just lulled me into a false sense of security.
I helped you through it before. I can do it again.
Why don't you just come home?
Yes, why don't you? If that's what you want?
Oh, don't be silly, love.
You haven't seen each other since the divorce?
Is that what I'm meant to believe? Well, yeah, because it's the truth.
Your photos, the quiz...
It's all about your life together.
You were happiest back then?
Gayle was a big part of my life.
I'm glad she's here.
Oh, Trudy!
Oh, God.
Are you OK?
SHE RETCHES
SHE VOMITS
This whole thing was a bad idea.
Me and Trudy should have just eloped.
And not say goodbye?
I know a really good oncologist if you want me to...
Oh, no, now. Thank you.
I've had a second opinion. In fact, I've had a dozen opinions.
Only one of them was a quack.
The one who said I had a fighting chance.
Why move abroad?
It's not a decision I took lightly.
Everything's arranged.
I just think that it's a lot to deal with on your own.
I'm NOT on my own. I'm with Trudy.
Oh!
I'm sure Gayle's been bending your ear.
I'll let you get back to the quiz.
Thanks.
I had a cooked breakfast. Didn't agree with me.
I see.
I'm not pregnant, if that's what you're thinking.
It's none of my business.
Mitch always wanted kids.
He tried with Gayle, but...
He's still in love with her.
It's obvious.
I barely know Mitch, but...
..I really don't get that impression.
They were together for 30 years.
I can't compete with that.
Do you need to?
He should be with the person who matters most to him,
in whatever time he has left.
Would you do me a favour? Of course.
Give him this.
I really don't think... Please!
It's for the best.
The Mitch I knew would never give up.
His prognosis sounds pretty bleak, though.
But he's accepted his fate,
so I think we should respect his wishes.
But they're HER wishes, not his.
Mitch is no pushover. I doubt he's under her thumb.
Maybe she's got something on him.
Didn't you say that she was from an aristocratic family?
Yeah. Lady Muck.
She could probably do with a few more million
to spruce up the country estate.
So you think she's only interested in his money?
Well, the rich get richer. It's what they do.
Yeah.
Last one.
OK, "Where did Mitch propose to his beautiful fiancee?"
Mm, I'm guessing they're not referring to me!
Bondi Beach, Eiffel Tower, St Mark's Square, Venice.
No, definitely not me. We were in some dodgy pub in Wolverhampton!
I don't remember him saying anything about Australia.
And it probably wasn't the Eiffel Tower.
No, terrible with heights.
Right, so Venice, then? Venice.
It doesn't bode well for his marriage, though, does it, Venice?
Why not? Well, it's sinking.
HE CHUCKLES
Yeah, the car's here. Honestly, Kelly's made up -
she can't believe that you managed to sort the appointment AND a taxi.
She said to say thanks.
Well, she should thank someone else.
A guardian angel.
It's a long story. I'll tell you later. Bye.
Mitch, I'm so sorry
about your illness.
Oh... Did you find Trudy? Yes.
She's under the weather.
Sick. Really? And then she... wandered off.
Well, where to? I don't know.
She needed some headspace.
And, look,
she asked me to... to give you this.
Why didn't you come and get me?
I didn't think it was my place. And you don't know where she is? No.
How could you let this happen?
Have you seen Trudy? No. Sorry.
Still sulking, is she?
She's not answering her phone.
Text her your bank balance, that'll cheer her up.
You don't know the first thing about Trudy -
so stop judging her.
I know she doesn't pass on my messages.
Well, that's because she's jealous of you.
Not that there's any reason to be.
Excuse me. I'm going to go and find Zara.
You and me...
We're fighters, aren't we?
We used to spur each other on.
Nothing would faze us, would it?
No.
Not even your illness.
Not UNTIL my illness.
I can't keep going.
Not without a fighting chance. Don't say that.
We've all got to face it sooner or later.
Well, make it later, then! You've got to fight for every new day,
every moment, if you have to!
That's not how I want my life to end.
Anyway, it wouldn't help.
At best, I'd get a few more months,
feeling worse than I do now.
There's no chance of remission. Not this time.
Trudy helped me to come to terms with my illness,
feel at peace.
If we'd met 30 years ago, we wouldn't have worked out.
But now...
..we're the perfect match.
She's good for you. I get it.
PHONE RINGS
Yes, speaking.
No problem. I'll be there in one minute.
Venice.
I'm happy to announce that my good friend, Daniel Granger,
answered all of the quiz questions correctly.
He's our worthy winner!
Oh, ably assisted by Gayle Buckley,
my ex-wife!
And eternal sparring partner.
She probably knows me better than anyone.
Apart from Trudy, of course.
My gorgeous bride-to-be.
I just want to say a few words about Mitch.
I think we can all agree that Mitch is one in a million.
He's a man who...
Well, he's a force of nature.
He's someone who stands up for what he believes in.
and he... he never says die.
I'm sure we're all grateful - and blessed -
to have him in our lives.
Trudy,
you're a very lucky woman.
I know what you think of me. Do you now? Yes.
And you're wrong.
GAYLE SIGHS
Mitch isn't the only one who's sick.
Trudy...
Wait!
Are you OK?
Not really.
I just made a fool of myself in there.
I didn't want this to be about me.
It was meant to be a happy day for Mitch.
Saying goodbye to his friends?
Was it food poisoning earlier?
Something else, unfortunately.
It's terminal.
I'm so sorry. I had no idea.
No-one here did...
..till now.
I didn't want Mitch's friends to know we're both on our way out,
thought it would put a downer on things.
We try to keep those conversations for our support group.
Is that how you met?
It's a much smaller group now.
We've lost some good friends.
You've been on quite a journey together.
It wasn't a romantic thing.
Not at first.
More just friendship.
Moral support.
You knew what he was going through.
Trudy...
I've made a right mess of this, haven't I?
I'm lost without you.
I'm so sorry.
What for?
Being too jealous.
I shouldn't have invited Gayle, not without telling you.
You didn't need my permission. She was a big part of your life.
I understand why you wanted her here.
Will you marry me?
Always!
Do you still want to go home?
It depends if there's still some champagne.
Oh! OK.
Oh...
I'm a very lucky guy.
Not many people get to attend their own wake!
I just wanted to take this opportunity
to take stock of my life, and to bid you all farewell.
But I didn't want it to be a gloomy occasion.
The strawberry is the first fruit of Spring.
And some people say it symbolises rebirth.
Now, I'm not counting on an afterlife,
but Trudy and me,
well, we hope to live on in another way.
Between us, we're worth a few bob,
and we want to channel that into something very special.
The Buckley-Palmer Foundation will help disadvantaged kids,
allow them to look beyond their horizons
and to follow their dreams.
Hear, hear!
And our good friend Daniel Granger has donated
20,000 to the foundation!
INAUDIBLE SPEECH
I've so much to be grateful for.
Most of all, my wonderful fiancee.
And there's someone else I want to thank.
Gayle, if it wasn't for you,
I'd still be on the Churchill estate,
angry, frustrated, spoiling for a fight.
You believed in me when no-one else did.
She made me what I am.
OK, look.
The party can't last forever,
but we have still got some time.
So, let's make the most of it, shall we?
# What is love? Baby, don't hurt me
# Don't hurt me No more
# Whoa-oa-oa-oa-oa
# Whoa-oa-oa-oa
# Uh-huh
# Whoa-oa-oa-oa-oa
# Whoa-oa-oa-oa Uh-huh
# What is love?
Baby, don't hurt me
# Don't hurt me No more. #